Donors preview new
Summit Academy Enhanced program
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Starting this fall, Summit Academy Enhanced (SAE) will bring a new model of care to the community to improve the quality of life for children with severe behaviors. This intensive treatment program will ensure students who routinely engage in challenging behaviors get the services they need without leaving Western New York. Many children who meet the admission criteria for Summit Academy Enhanced might otherwise be forced to seek treatment out of state.
The Summit Center hosted an event on August 11 to introduce Summit Academy Enhanced and celebrate the completion of the Building Hope Capital Campaign, which raised $4.1 million. In addition to Summit Academy Enhanced, these funds supported the construction of four new classrooms at Summit Academy's Creekside site, a modern conference center, and more.
Donors had the opportunity to tour the new space and meet Brian Nasca, Ph.D., Director of Severe Behavior Program, and Jennifer Owsiany, Ph.D., BCBA, Clinical Assistant Director. Dr. Nasca will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the program and serve as an expert in the treatment of severe behavior disorders. Dr. Owsiany will assist in providing clinical direction and oversight of the assessment and treatment functions of the program among other responsibilities.
SAE will operate under the Summit Academy umbrella with Mary Bennett as principal. In addition to Dr. Nasca and Dr. Owsiany, SAE’s key leaders also include Claire Spangenthal, MA/AC, NCSP, BCBA, Assistant Education Director, and Rebecca Meyer, M.S. M.S.W., Social Worker.
Thank you to our incredible donors for making this ground-breaking program possible.
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New Summit Academy principal announced
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Earlier this month, Amy L. Jablonski, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Vice President of Summit’s Education and Behavioral Health Divisions, announced the promotion of Mary Bennett, Assistant Principal of Curriculum, to Summit Academy Principal.
Mary succeeds Sue Whittaker, Ed.D, SBL, who will step into a part-time role at Summit beginning September 1 and support the Academy leadership team through the transition.
As principal, Mary will be responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operation of Summit Academy effective August 22.
“With her many years of experience at Summit Academy, Mary brings a deep understanding of the operation of our school and curriculum, the needs of our students at all stages of development, and the supports our staff need to be successful in their jobs,” said Dr. Jablonski. “We have great confidence in Mary’s ability to not only lead Summit Academy, but to serve as a liaison to school districts and work collaboratively with parents.”
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Mary joined Summit Academy as a teacher in 2002 and was promoted to Teacher Mentor in 2004. In 2013, she was promoted to Educational Coordinator responsible for supervision of preschool and school age classroom teachers, preschool community-based teachers, and autism specialists/consultants. Mary was promoted to Unit Director/Educational Coordinator at Creekside in 2017 and to her most recent position in 2019.
“I am honored to serve as Summit Academy’s principal and committed to working with our entire staff, students, and school districts to continue our tradition of excellence in providing the best educational program for those we serve,” Mary said.
Mary earned a B.S. and M.S. in Education from Buffalo State College where she also earned a Certificate in Educational Leadership. She has her permanent certificate for Special Education and has earned both a School Building Leader Certificate and a School District Leader Certificate.
Dr. Whittaker announced she was stepping down from principal in July. She joined Summit Academy in 2016 and has served as Summit Academy Principal since January 2017.
“It has been my great honor and privilege to work with such a dedicated, caring team of professionals who are so committed to the success of our students,” Dr. Whittaker said. “My goal is to continue to support the Academy team and my successor while having more time to devote to my parents and family.”
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Party for Summit set for November 4
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Get ready to place your bets at the Party for Summit: A Night in Las Vegas presented by Reeds Jewelers!
The Party for Summit, originally scheduled for January 2022, was postponed due to rising COVID-19 cases in Erie County.
The event will now be held on Friday, November 4 at The Atrium at Rich's. The fun-filled evening will feature the Hope Awards, live and silent auctions, a sit-down dinner, casino games and more. For sponsorship and ticket information, please visit PartyForSummit.com.
We look forward to an exciting evening to benefit The Summit Center Foundation!
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Pro Tips: Autism and Physical Activity
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Pro Tips provided by Suzanne Tuberdyke, OTR/L, BCP, Clinical Coordinator, OT, PT, APE; Jill Beang, PT, DPT, Clinical Coordinator, OT, PT; and American Academy of Pediatrics.
Physical activity is an important part of every person's life to maintain their health. Learn more about the benefits and challenges of physical activity for a child with autism, and ways families can incorporate activity into their child's daily routine.
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What are the benefits of physical activity?
For children with autism, engaging in physical activity has many benefits. Activity can improve motor skills, object control, social skills, relationships, and self-confidence. Walking, dancing, running, swimming, or other cardio activities can help children respond better socially, decrease challenging behaviors, and reduce hyperactivity. Recreation can also improve a child’s mental and social wellbeing.
What are the barriers?
When it comes to physical activity, some of the barriers that children with autism may face go beyond physical limitations. Barriers can often be lack of accessible facilities, high costs, the location of accessible programs, and lack of providers with adaptive recreation expertise.
Oftentimes, children with autism and other developmental disabilities are socially segregated or stereotyped, limiting opportunities to participate in group sports or activities. Negative experiences, lack of support, and limited opportunities can lead many children to become disinterested or discouraged in participating in sports or other forms of activity.
What can families do?
- Start small - The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend 1 hour of activity for children daily. If this is something new you’re introducing to your child’s routine, start small. Do a few 10 to 15 minutes activities spread out across the day. Go for a short walk around the block or to a local park. Take a family trip to the local playground or turn commercials on TV into exercise breaks. Eventually, these family walks or exercise breaks will become part of your child's daily routine.
- Work on motor skills - Motor skills can be fundamental to participating in physical activity and sports. Parents can help their child improve their motor skills by playing games that require their child to move in different ways, such as running, jumping, skipping, or hopping. Using different types of sports equipment like balls, bats, or racquets can help build these skills too.
- Explore the options - Find activities your child has an interest in. Maybe they enjoy baseball or soccer and want to play on a team. Perhaps they would enjoy a more individualized activity like swimming or riding a bike. Expose your child to group activities, social interactions, and individual activities to find out what they enjoy the most.
- Be a role model - The best way to inspire your child to engage in physical activity is leading by example. If a child sees how much their parent enjoys walking, they’re more likely to try it. Participate in activities with your child. If they want to ride a bike, join them. Spend some time in the yard playing catch or kicking around a soccer ball. Not only are you and your child benefitting from being active, but you're also spending quality one-on-one time with your child.
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Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr
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Meet Phil Munson!
What is your role at Summit?
I’m the Transition Coordinator at Summit Academy - Creekside, I just started in this position last month, but I was a teacher for the past eight years. I’m also a respite provider and community habilitation provider. I’ve also been a Teacher Assistant Float, a classroom Teacher Assistant and a STAR respite provider.
What do you like most about working at Summit?
I like that our staff really do care about our students and put students first.
Name someplace on your bucket list.
I’d really like to go to Ireland and/or Egypt. I’m a big fan of Egyptian history.
What is your favorite movie?
It’s between The Red Violin and Jurassic Park (the original).
Where is your favorite place to eat in Western New York?
I’ve always been a fan of La Nova, but I can’t eat dairy anymore so that’s been harder to have. I also really like The Roycroft Inn in East Aurora.
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Since 2000, findings from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network have provided more information about the number and characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the age at which children are first evaluated and diagnosed. The ADDM Network also helps identify areas where progress has been made and areas where there are still opportunities for improvement. (CDC)
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Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges.
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